Parts for your 2007 Toyota Caldina-Throttle position sensors

2007 Toyota Caldina throttle position sensor: what it does and how to look after it

Short answer: yes, the 2007 Toyota Caldina uses a throttle position sensor (TPS). Toyota’s New Car Features (NCF) for ETCS‑i (electronic throttle control), the Toyota Repair Manual for Caldina T24# models (ZZT241/246, AZT241/246, ST246), and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue all show a dual‑track TPS integrated into the throttle body, feeding VTA/VTA2 signals to the ECM. Relevant fault codes include P0120–P0124, P0220–P0224 and P2135, which the manuals list for this sensor circuit. It’s part of the throttle body assembly and is not separately adjustable.

On a 2007 Caldina, the TPS tells the engine computer exactly how far the throttle plate is open. Because these models run ETCS‑i (drive‑by‑wire), the ECM uses TPS feedback to match the commanded throttle opening to actual throttle angle, fine‑tune fuel and ignition, manage idle speed and cruise control, and even influence auto shift behaviour. The Caldina’s throttle body carries two TPS tracks for redundancy, so the ECM can cross‑check them for safety.

There’s no scheduled replacement for the throttle position sensor, but keeping the throttle body clean and the connector healthy goes a long way. If idle is rough, the throttle sticks, or fuel use climbs, a careful throttle body clean can help. Don’t drown the shaft seals or spray directly into the sensor housing—use throttle‑safe cleaner and a soft cloth. After battery disconnect or cleaning, an idle/throttle relearn may be needed, a quick drive cycle or using Toyota Techstream does the trick on most cars.

• Common TPS symptoms: erratic idle, surging, flat spots on take‑off, limp mode, poor kick‑down, and the MIL on.
• Handy checks: scan live data for VTA/VTA2 agreeing and sweeping smoothly 0–100%, wiggle‑test the connector, verify 5 V reference and good earth.
• Typical codes: P0120/P0220 (TPS circuit), P2135 (correlation), often paired with reduced power.

If the TPS has dead spots or the tracks don’t correlate, it’s a replacement job. On these cars the TPS is built into the throttle body and isn’t adjustable, so the fix is to replace the throttle body assembly and its gasket. Don’t force the throttle plate by hand, and torque the fasteners lightly. After fitting, clear codes and perform an idle relearn. Also rule out the accelerator pedal position sensor, as it can throw similar symptoms on ETCS‑i systems.

Popular questions

Is the TPS separate on a 2007 Caldina, or part of the throttle body?
It’s integrated. Toyota’s repair literature shows a dual‑track, non‑adjustable TPS built into the electronic throttle body. If the sensor fails, the practical repair is to replace the throttle body assembly rather than trying to adjust or swap a standalone sensor.

What are the tell‑tale signs of a failing TPS on this model?
Expect hesitation off the line, hunting idle, random surges, higher fuel use and the Check Engine light. The car may go into limp mode with codes like P0120 or P2135. A scan tool will usually show an uneven or jumpy throttle angle trace, or disagreement between the two tracks (VTA/VTA2).

Will cleaning fix TPS problems, or is replacement the only cure?
Cleaning helps if the throttle plate is sticking or carbon is upsetting airflow, which can mimic TPS faults. However, if the sensor’s internal tracks are worn or the signals don’t correlate, cleaning won’t restore it—replacement of the throttle body assembly is the reliable fix.